Do you have to take the initiative?

[Jgib5328]

I always feel obligated to take the initiative in every situation. If I am having a conversation with a person, I feel the need to lead it and I feel like it's my responsibility to keep it going. If a professor asks the class a question, I always feel like I'm the one who should answer, and I usually do. Whenever I'm doing something with other people, I always feel the need to plan it out etc.

Do any of you guys feel like this? I always feel the need to take charge in everything.

[sriv]

This goes back to the "Are INTJs controlling?" thread. They like to control their surroundings that directly affect them. This overcontrolling may be because you are developing more extraversion. Stereotypical ENTJ attempts to control everything.

I only take the initiative when I have to. In social circumstances, people who are not my friends do not take the initiative with me so I have to take the initiative. Otherwise, I am content observing.

[Edeag]

I've always felt like that in class. In school, I always viewed my classmates as incompetent, and I had to keep up the slack they left. When a teacher asked a question, I felt compelled to answer whenever I knew the answer- an question could not hang in the air.

Socially, I'm happy to watch and let others do their own thing.

[mkay]

Not me. I'm happy to join in because I want to contribute, but I'm interested in what other people have to contribute. I'm more likely to ask questions. I'll pursue the lead only if I think I'm best qualified / suited and if it meets my bigger-picture goal of learning.

[darkkodiak]

For me, in school I usually let the question float in the air and if no one can answer it, I answer it. In social events, well, I rather just sit tight and observe. Sports however is a different story because taking initiative gives you a really good chance of winning and I like to win haha.

[PRBori]

If you want to succeed in life you will need to take the initiative in order to full-fill any goals you have, therefore my answer to the question will be YES. It is important to take the initiative, have goals and plans and follow them no matter how many obstacles you face.

In addition, you need to put your fears behind and focus on what you really want in order to achieve it. Yes, it will mean that you need to let the Introvert side slide to some extend, and if that's what it takes to achieve your goals, then let it be. Is about the main way you will survive in this world, otherwise you will be stuck behind always failing at what you want because of it.

[mkay]

I'm not especially ambitious. My life plans have always been fluid. I ended up making six figures and managing a lot of people in my 30s, somewhat to my surprise, mostly by selectively choosing when to take initiative. This guy's career blogs mirror much of my thinking:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. (this is the first of three parts)

[PRBori]

I'm not especially ambitious. My life plans have always been fluid. I ended up making six figures and managing a lot of people in my 30s, somewhat to my surprise, mostly by selectively choosing when to take initiative. This guy's career blogs mirror much of my thinking:

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. (this is the first of three parts)

Thank you for sharing... yes plans should fluctuate in the career area in order to succeed. I love taking any challenge that will allow me to gain additional skills related to what I have in mind. I will say the above also mirrors part of my thinking on this area.

I'm also very selective of jobs, specially what they entail and the type of organization it is. That is very important in my strategy...

[xwalka]

For me, in school I usually let the question float in the air and if no one can answer it, I answer it. In social events, well, I rather just sit tight and observe.

I'm the same way. The problem is that usually no one else answers, and I end up having to talk a lot. Oh well, at least the teachers seemed to appreciate it.

[catd]

Almost always and I wish someone else would step up for once!

[onlyparallel]

I've always felt like that in class. In school, I always viewed my classmates as incompetent, and I had to keep up the slack they left. When a teacher asked a question, I felt compelled to answer whenever I knew the answer- an question could not hang in the air.

Socially, I'm happy to watch and let others do their own thing.

I used to be like that, but my classmates got dependant on me and it bothered me to ahev to answer all the questions, so I just completely stopped answering anything. For a good four months in this poor teachers class not one person answered a question. Then one guy just stared at me and said "answer it!" so I said "no!" (I hate it when people try to make me do things) after that other people contributed.

I do often feel obligated to take charge, but only when the person in charge is a total idiot.

[Double Victory]

I had that problem back when I used to do group work in schools. The teachers would always make sure there was one "smart" kid in each group to make sure things got done, and I got so tired of doing all of the work by myself. Like onlyparallel I also just stopped one day. I was put into a group, and everyone else just sat there looking at their hands, or read a book, and I just sat there without saying a word. After a minute or so the rest of the group gave me that, "...Well?" look. Needless to say we didn't do so well, but I was pretty satisfied mentally.

I'm also the person who always takes initiative in relationships. I got tired of that, too, and just stopped dating.

[onlyparallel]

I HATE teachers who do that. When I get pu in a group like that I get so angry. I remember once in elementary when my teacher literally got all of the stupid kids together and then made me join them too. Then I couldn't help but just do all the work, but now I would probably do what you did and just do nothing.

[True Rune]

For me, in school I usually let the question float in the air and if no one can answer it, I answer it. In social events, well, I rather just sit tight and observe. Sports however is a different story because taking initiative gives you a really good chance of winning and I like to win haha.

I'm like you. I don't do team sports, but I take the initiative in sparring. I'm reluctant to answer questions in school probably because I don't like to talk.

[Monte314]

I wanted to say something about taking the intiative, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.